EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Bankhead Nationwide Forest got here alive with pleasure on Saturday, June 8, as over 60 youngsters and their households solid their traces and reeled in reminiscences on the twenty ninth Annual Bankhead Youth Fishing Derby in Alabama.
This much-anticipated occasion, hosted by the USDA Forest Service, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and native companions, featured roughly 400 kilos of stocked catfish, making certain an thrilling expertise for all younger anglers.
Past the fishing enjoyable, the day was full of quite a lot of actions, together with airsoft taking pictures, casting contests, a Gyotaku Japanese fish printing artwork station and interactive instructional cubicles. These participating actions have been designed to not solely entertain but in addition educate youngsters concerning the significance of appreciating and conserving our pure surroundings.
The Nationwide Wild Turkey Federation Bankhead Beards and Spurs chapter performed a major position within the success of this occasion, donating $500 to assist any wants the Forest Service had. The chapter additionally supplied an NWTF JAKES Take Goal trailer, permitting youngsters to expertise goal taking pictures, clay goal taking pictures and shotgun taking pictures in a secure and pleasant surroundings. Moreover, each little one who signed up for the fishing derby obtained a JAKES membership.
Assist from the chapter, together with beneficiant donations from varied sponsors, ensured that every little one obtained a t-shirt, water bottle, goodie bag and a door prize. One fortunate little one was awarded a lifetime freshwater fishing license, courtesy of the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Affiliation.
This occasion was held at the side of Nationwide Fishing and Boating Week, Alabama Free Fishing Day and Nationwide Get Open air Day.
Notable winners of this yr’s casting contest have been:
- Lila Culberson of Florence
- Niki Comes of Russellville
- Kaden Lee of Addison
These winners have been awarded customized Forest Service rods and reels together with stocked sort out packing containers.
The most important fish of the day, measuring a powerful 20 ¼ inches, was caught by Adaleigh Batchelor of Haleyville.
Trophies and prizes for the largest fish in several age teams have been awarded as follows:
5-6 12 months Outdated Group:
- 1st Place: Samuel Walker of Dora
- 2nd Place: Colten Vess of Moulton
7-9 12 months Outdated Group:
- 1st Place: Sophia Garcia of Double Springs
- 2nd Place: Hannah Richards of Moulton
10-12 12 months Outdated Group:
- 1st Place: Saibre Dover of Addison
- 2nd Place: Mack Lee of Addison
